Tourism
Bahrain offers great potential as both a regional and a world tourist destination, blessed with 33 islands, a cosmopolitan capital city; an attractive, liberal lifestyle; and a rich history and culture.
Manama’s Souq has been famous for hundreds of years. Qalat Arad is a remarkable fort dating back to the 15th century. The Qalat al Bahrain, once capital of the ancient Dilmun civilization, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Bahrain National Museum displays archaeological artifacts spanning 6000 years of Bahrain's history.
Other attractions include the Bahrain International Circuit, which brings in thousands of visitors every year for the Formula One Gulf Air Grand Prix.
In the past we have mostly focused on niche and boutique tourism, as well as the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector. In 2006 we attracted 4.5 million business and leisure visitors.
New developments
Bahrain Bay, City Centre Mall, Al Areen, Amwaj Islands and Durrat Al Bahrain are now opening up Bahrain to a wider market.
The unique billion-dollar Al Areen development furthers Bahrain's reputation as a friendly destination for family and health-oriented tourists. Phase one is already complete, including the Banyan Tree Desert Spa and Resort, the largest spa in the Middle East, and the state-of-the-art 'Lost Paradise of Dilmun' Water Park. The development will include five-star hotels, residential villages, entertainment and recreational facilities, shopping centres and the Al Areen Wildlife Park.
Amwaj Islands is the first freehold development in Bahrain. Costing US$1.5 billion, the project is a series of man-made islands, including four main residential islands and a theme park island, 30 office towers, a waterfront shopping mall, five star hotels, an amusement park, entertainment facilities and a marina.
Durrat Al Bahrain is the Kingdom’s largest luxury residential, commercial and tourist resort development. Costing $6 billion, it consists of The Islands, six ‘Atolls’ and five ‘Petals’, with 1800 luxury residential villas; and The Crescent, which will offer dining, shopping and entertainment. There will also be an 18-hole golf course designed by Ernie Els, and one of the region’s largest marinas, with 400 berths across three islands.
Attracted by the potential of projects like these, more and more international names are now coming to Bahrain, such as Four Seasons, Kempinski and Renaissance, who join leading hotel groups already established here like Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton, Radisson, Novotel, Marriott and Banyan Tree.
Growth in the region is set to see a 6.7% increase in international tourists by 20101.
1 WTO.